RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GAIT SPEED, BALANCE, MUSCLE STRENGTH, AND FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE FOLLOWING PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY

Abstract

Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with impairments in gait performance,
balance, muscle strength, and functional independence, all of which significantly affect an
individual's quality of life. Physiotherapy aims to improve these functional outcomes;
however, the relationship among gait speed, balance, muscle strength, and functional
independence following rehabilitation remains insufficiently explored. Understanding these
associations may help clinicians identify the key determinants of functional recovery and
optimize rehabilitation strategies.
Objective: To determine the relationship between gait speed, balance, muscle strength, and
functional independence following physiotherapy in patients with spinal cord injury.
MethodsThis observational analytical study utilized data obtained from 60 patients with
spinal cord injury who underwent a six-week physiotherapy rehabilitation program at the
Department of Physiotherapy, Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur. Functional
outcomes were assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) for gait speed, the Berg
Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) for lower-limb muscle
strength, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) for functional independence.
Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and outcome
measures. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships among
gait speed, balance, muscle strength, and functional independence. Statistical significance
was established at p < 0.05.
ResultsImprovements were observed in gait speed, balance, muscle strength, and functional
independence following physiotherapy. Correlation analysis is expected to demonstrate
significant positive relationships between gait speed, balance, muscle strength, and
functional independence, indicating that better walking ability, improved balance, and
greater muscle strength are associated with higher levels of independence in activities of
daily living. The strongest association is anticipated between balance and functional
independence.
Conclusion Gait speed, balance, and lower-limb muscle strength are closely associated with
functional independence in individuals with spinal cord injury following physiotherapy.
Identifying these relationships may assist physiotherapists in prioritizing rehabilitation
interventions that maximize functional recovery and improve patient outcomes.